Got it! Friend misunderstood lack of Democrats on election ballot/Nebraska (Not for political debate

[tvguy]

Nebraska is an interesting story. The only Democratic candidate for Attorney General dropped out after being charged with attempting to kill his father.

https://www.omaha.com/news/politics...cle_ae6d18f4-3596-50ef-826b-a6f827a86487.html

And the number of registered Democrats in Nebraska in 2018 hit the lowest number in 46 years.

http://netnebraska.org/article/news...s-another-nebraska-voter-registration-numbers

As was mentioned, here in California, the top two voter getters in the Primary Election face off in the General Election without regard to party. So we had a Democrat facing a Democrat in several races, and a Democrat facing a candidate listed as No Party Preference.

https://vote.sos.ca.gov/

 

[alldiz]

I don't know what race you are specifically speaking of, whether it is a local, state or federal one but this isn't unique to Nebraska

https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2018/politics/midterms-uncontested-candidates/?noredirect=on

I'm sure if you do more research you will find even more examples

I guess I am just ignorant!
All the money spent is ridiculous!!
Each party should get a free space on the ballot. Each party puts a name. Then all the money can be spent on pushing a specific person forward.
Whoever wins wins.
And in most cases it will follow the money of campaigning. Ie red state Republican, blue democrat.
However citizens get to just vote against the grain easily when there is an actual name on the ballot.
I’m sorry just seems like common sense

 

[rickybobby]

If they ask for a recount, a Democrat will probably win.

 

[alldiz]

Nebraska is an interesting story. The only Democratic candidate for Attorney General dropped out after being charged with attempting to kill his father.

https://www.omaha.com/news/politics...cle_ae6d18f4-3596-50ef-826b-a6f827a86487.html

And the number of registered Democrats in Nebraska in 2018 hit the lowest number in 46 years.

http://netnebraska.org/article/news...s-another-nebraska-voter-registration-numbers

As was mentioned, here in California, the top two voter getters in the Primary Election face off in the General Election without regard to party. So we had a Democrat facing a Democrat in several races, and a Democrat facing a candidate listed as No Party Preference.

https://vote.sos.ca.gov/

Wow! I think there was a large number of states with only one party running for attorney general. Another fact that shocked me

 

[BoatyMcBoatface]

As a Nebraskan, I have never experienced, or heard, of a candidate being left off the ballot if they’ve met the requirements/deadlines. The state is definitely red, but the Omaha metro congressional district is more purple. That was most noticeable in the 2008 election, since Nebraska is one of the few states that doesn’t not use a winner take all approach to the electoral college.

It’s also worth noting that we have a unicameral for our state legislature, so state senators do not run under any party.

 

[Allison]

Each party should get a free space on the ballot. Each party puts a name.

Again, what name if nobody decides to run? I'm honestly not understanding why you are surprised by this or what you are really advocating for. If someone doesn't want to vote for the person on the ballot, then they shouldn't. They aren't forced to.

 

[bcla]

Every state should be able to have a republican and a Democrat on every election ballot. Honeslty there should be an independent also.
There is literally no choice for the person who wants to switch sides blue.
Because corect me if I’m wrong
Are there any blue states in the planet that does not have a Republican on be ticket. Think about tbat

Which particular office are you referring? I looked up every statewide office and every Congressional election in Nebraska this year. Every one had a Democrat and a Republican running in the general election.

It might be possible that there are races where nobody bothered to run in the Democratic primary. I mean - I've voted in elections where the incumbent ran unopposed. There's nothing particularly unusual about it. There are some races where I'm sure there are people who don't particularly want to be the token opposition.

 

[alldiz]

Again, what name if nobody decides to run? I'm honestly not understanding why you are surprised by this or what you are really advocating for. If someone doesn't want to vote for the person on the ballot, then they shouldn't. They aren't forced to.

Ok I guess at the end of the day, born and bred from NY and living with so many choices and diversity it boggles my mind when I find out the rest of my country is not the same.
Don’t get me wrong I loved Nebraska even my snotty 16yr old DD said let’s move here. Although truth be told I think she just wants to be near my BFF.
Anyway, guess it was just a punch in the face for me to realize that democracy is sold to the highest bidder

 

[mom2rtk]

My ballot frequently has no Republican for some races. It happens. It's usually a very blue area.

 

[alldiz]

Which particular office are you referring? I looked up every statewide office and every Congressional election in Nebraska this year. Every one had a Democrat and a Republican running in the general election.

It might be possible that there are races where nobody bothered to run in the Democratic primary. I mean - I've voted in elections where the incumbent ran unopposed. There's nothing particularly unusual about it. There are some races where I'm sure there are people who don't particularly want to be the token opposition.

My friend lives in Bellevue. Big military town so big red maybe her particular ballot didn’t have opponents?
Thanks

 

[Lynne M]

Are there any blue states in the planet that does not have a Republican on be ticket. Think about tbat

Sure there are. According to Ballotpedia, in the recent midterms there were 3 House races that didn't have a Democratic candidate, and 38 House races where there were no Republican candidates.

In 2017, 42 percent of the candidates for state representative ran unopposed.

It happens because no one from a particular party wants to run for that position, or because a particular district is so heavily populated with voters of one party that the other party doesn't want to spend the resources running a race they know they have no chance of winning.

 

[Allison]

Anyway, guess it was just a punch in the face for me to realize that democracy is sold to the highest bidder

I have no idea why you are making a connection like this.

 

[Lynne M]

Ok I guess at the end of the day, born and bred from NY and living with so many choices and diversity it boggles my mind when I find out the rest of my country is not the same.
Don’t get me wrong I loved Nebraska even my snotty 16yr old DD said let’s move here. Although truth be told I think she just wants to be near my BFF.
Anyway, guess it was just a punch in the face for me to realize that democracy is sold to the highest bidder

I'm not sure you're understanding what we're saying. Your friend in Nebraska didn't have a Democrat on her ballot because the Democratic Party in Nebraska decided not to run anyone for that seat, or couldn't find anyone who wanted to run for that seat. How is that democracy being sold to the highest bidder? It's the system working exactly as it should.

 

[smokeyblue]

Ok I guess at the end of the day, born and bred from NY and living with so many choices and diversity it boggles my mind when I find out the rest of my country is not the same.
Don’t get me wrong I loved Nebraska even my snotty 16yr old DD said let’s move here. Although truth be told I think she just wants to be near my BFF.
Anyway, guess it was just a punch in the face for me to realize that democracy is sold to the highest bidder

I don't think you are comprehending the simple fact that if there isn't a candidate that wants to run, meets the qualifications and follows the procedure to get on the ballot that their won't be a candidate from that party on the ballot. All party candidates have to jump through the same hoops.

There are often local races where I live that one party runs unopposed. Our congressional race this year was almost unopposed, but there was an opposing party candidate that ran a write-in campaign in the primary and got on the ballot.

 

[Southernmiss]

A lot of this was taught in American Government 101 high school and college

 

[alldiz]

Sure there are. According to Ballotpedia, in the recent midterms there were 3 House races that didn't have a Democratic candidate, and 38 House races where there were no Republican candidates.

In 2017, 42 percent of the candidates for state representative ran unopposed.

It happens because no one from a particular party wants to run for that position, or because a particular district is so heavily populated with voters of one party that the other party doesn't want to spend the resources running a race they know they have no chance of winning.

I get it and thanks for your informational response
Just ignorantly didn’t realize that every American that goes to the poll does not actually have a choice.

 

[Allison]

You have a choice. You can choose to not vote for the person. Write in a candidate If you would like.

 

[alldiz]

Thanks everyone and yes I am eating humble pie and what have you but I am still standing by my initial statement.
Can’t believe in this political climate ther is not more than one choice.
It is what it is
Peace and happiness all

 

[Southernmiss]

There's always a choice. Vote for who is on the ballot, write in a candidate, don't vote at all.

 

[alldiz]

You have a choice. You can choose to not vote for the person. Write in a candidate If you would like.

Ok the write in is baloney.